Red peonies look spectacular in any setting, with their vivid red petals contrasting heavily against the mounds of green foliage they are set against. Here we look at some of the best types of red peonies available for the home garden.
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How Many Types of Red Peonies Are There?
There are more than 30 different species of peony, though most peony plants that are grown in home gardens belong to one of the more common peony species. These are the Chinese Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), the Common Peony or Garden Peony (Paeonia officinalis) the Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), or Intersectional Peony plants (Itoh Peonies) which are the result of crossing a Chinese Peony with a Tree Peony.
There are thousands of different varieties of peonies in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Of these, more than a hundred varieties are red in color. While red is not the most popular color of peony, since this title belongs to the pink peony, red peonies do not fall far behind.
There is a huge selection of red peonies available so if you’re looking for a peony in this specific color then you should be able to find one quite easily at your local garden nursery.
Red peonies come in a range of shades, from fiery orange-red through to deep cherry red and even dark red-brown. They are also available in many styles of peony flowers, from cup-shaped single flowers to fully double bomb-shaped blooms.
Are Red Peonies Easy to Grow?
Red peonies are very easy to grow when they are planted in suitable conditions. They don’t like to be kept in soil that is too wet or too dry, so well-draining soil is best which will carry away any excess water from the roots, while a layer of mulch on top of the soil will help to retain moisture during dry periods of the year.
Red peonies can be grown in full sun or partial shade; in cooler climates, it is best to plant them in a position of full sun, while in warmer climates they usually prefer some afternoon shade to protect them from high levels of heat. There are a few red peonies that are more heat tolerant than usual, and these can be planted in full sun even in hot climates, such as the ‘Red Charm’ peony.
How Long do Red Peonies Bloom?
Like other peonies, the length of time you can expect a red peony to bloom will be dependent on the species of peony you are growing, and the conditions in which you are growing it. Hybrid varieties are known for having the most extended blooming time, so if you want a red floral display for several weeks through the summer then a hybrid peony will be your best choice. Red peonies, like other peonies, will bloom for a little longer when grown in a cool climate.
If you want red peonies to bloom all summer long in your garden then you should choose a selection of varieties with different blooming times. For example, plant an early-season bloomer alongside mid-season and late-season bloomers.
These will flower in sequence so that when the flowers on one plant are just beginning to fade, the flowers on the next plant will just start to bloom, and so on. By carefully selecting peonies based on their expected blooming time, you can create a garden that features flowering peonies for as long as six weeks through spring and summer.
Best Types of Red Peonies
Buckeye Belle
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Buckeye Belle’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a hybrid peony that was created by crossing a common peony (Paeonia officinalis) with a Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora). It produces semi-double flowers in a bright and vivid shade of cherry red, with the inner petals forming a cup shape, while the outer petals have a wider spread.
The staminodes are a golden yellow color, standing out against the intense red. This is an award-winning peony that has achieved the American Peony Society Gold Medal, and it remains one of the most sought-after varieties of red peonies. Flowers are held upright on strong green stems which don’t need support.
The plant has a company growth habit, forming a dense clump of attractive foliage. The Buckeye Belle is an early-season bloomer that will flower for a little over a week.
Walter Mains
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Walter Mains’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This red peony resembles a tulip due to the shape, size, and color of the flowers. The rich petals have a velvety texture, and are a deep shade of poppy red at first, developing to a burgundy red as they mature. The staminodes are incredibly striking in this variety of peony, forming a dense disc of color in the middle of the flowers.
The staminodes appear straggly and slightly ruffled, in red with streaks of bright yellow, creating a look that is reminiscent of flames. This is a vigorous grower which produces flowers on strong stems, standing up without stakes. It will flower at the end of spring to early summer for a week to ten days.
Topeka Garnet
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Topeka Garnet’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is an exceptional variety of red peony which produces single flowers held on tall, strong stems. The petals are thick and velvet-like, in a deep and dark shade of red, which makes them appear sultry and luxurious. The stamens are a vivid mustard yellow color, adding a shock of bright color to the middle of each flower.
This is a midseason bloomer, with flowers lasting for around a week in early summer. The compact mound of foliage is green and shiny, maintaining interest throughout summer and into fall.
Burma Ruby
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Burma Ruby’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a hybrid peony with a vigorous yet compact growth habit. It produces single flowers in a bright and bold medium shade of red, with petals surrounding golden yellow stamen and anthers. Each flower is large and showy and will last between seven and ten days. These flowers also make excellent cut flowers and can last for a week if removed from the plant while still in bud.
The stems of the Burma Ruby peony are known to be particularly strong, and will hold the flowers up without the need for staking. They will remain upright even in harsh weather such as strong winds and heavy rain.
Chocolate Soldier
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Chocolate Soldier’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a hybrid peony that is known to be one of the darkest-colored peonies available. It produces deep burgundy red flowers which can appear almost brown in some light. The petals are soft and velvety, and the plant produces a mixture of single, semi-double and double flowers all on one specimen.
The flowers are cup-shaped and are held on strong stems which need no support. This peony blooms in late spring to early summer with a profusion of dark red flowers which last up to ten days. Chocolate Soldier peonies make wonderful cut flowers, creating a rich bouquet to convey feelings of deep love and passion.
America
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘America’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is an award-winning hybrid peony that produces startling red single flowers with vibrant yellow stamens in the middle. The petals have a silk-like texture and are slightly ruffled, creating a delicate look. They are produced at the end of strong, upright stems, which hold the flowers up without extra support.
The stems are sturdy enough to keep the blooms in place even during stormy weather. Each ‘America’ peony will produce around ten flowers on a single plant, and these open in sequence so that the plant remains in bloom for several weeks. The foliage of this peony variety is glossy and green, providing a contrast against the bright red shade of the flowers. In fall, the leaves of the plant will become flushed with warm autumnal colors before dropping to the ground.
Illini Warrior
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Illini Warrior’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 1 to 2 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a very compact variety of peonies, which will spread to be larger in width than it is in height. The flowers of the Illini Warrior are single and shaped like cups. The petals are a dark ruby shade of red, and they surround ruffled golden yellow stamen. The flowers of this plant have a delicate fragrance and bloom in late spring to early summer for around a week.
This is a reliable variety of red peony which produces an abundance of blooms. Like other peonies, it is resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a great choice in country gardens.
Merry Mayshine
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Merry Mayshine’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This type of red peony produces showy flowers, with a large disc of bright yellow stamens surrounded by satin-like, deep red petals. The flowers open out into a cup shape and progress into a bowl shape, inviting in butterflies and other pollinators. The blooms on this plant have a subtle fragrance from late spring to early summer.
The foliage on the Merry Mayshine peony differs from many other peonies because it is slender and bears similarities to fern foliage. The foliage of the plant remains attractive right through to fall, long after the flowers have faded.
Red Charm
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Red Charm’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is a dramatic and showy peony that has won multiple awards. It produces large, double flowers shaped like exploding bombs, with a dense profusion of vivid red petals heavily packed in at the top of sturdy stems. These flowers make wonderful cut floral bouquets or will be real eye-catchers if allowed to remain in the garden.
The blooms are slightly fragrant, appearing in late spring to early summer for a little over a week. The flowers of this plant are more tolerant of high levels of heat compared to other peonies, and they also stand up well against adverse weather such as heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Blaze
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Blaze’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This is an early-season peony with a vigorous growth habit. It will quickly reach its ultimate size and begin sending out a profusion of pretty, single flowers in bright orange-red.
The stamens are yellow and form a central disc, bringing additional color to the borders. These flowers have a joyful and innocent appearance which adds fun to the spring garden. They bloom for a little over a week, on strong stems which require no support.
Flame
- Botanical name: Paeonia ‘Flame’
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 8
- Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
- Mature spread: 2 to 3 feet
This plant sends out peonies in a fiery coral-red shade, with petals that are slightly ruffled and surround the inner disc of streaming yellow stamens to form a deep cup shape.
The flowers will vary in size from medium to large, creating a stunning display against the backdrop of contrasting green foliage. The red flowers are held on strong stems above the foliage, which do not need to be staked for support.
